PRICE 25 CENTS 




Successful Rural Plays 

A Strong List Fronri Which to Select Your 
Next Play 

FARM FOIiKS. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur 
Lewis Tubes. For five male and six female characters. Time 
of playing, two heurs and a half. One simple exterior, two 
easy interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Flora Goodwin, a 
farmer's daughter, is engaged to Philip Burleigh, a young New 
Yorker. Philip's mother wants him to marry a society woman, 
and by falsehoods makes Flora believe Philip does not love her. 
Dave Weston, who wants Flora himself, helps the deception by 
intercepting a letter from Philip to Flora. She agrees to marry 
Dave, but on the eve of their marriage Dave confesses, Philip 
learns the truth, and he and Flora are reunited. It is a simple 
plot, but full of speeches and situations that sway an audience 
alternately to tears and to laughter. 

HOME TIES. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur 
Lewis Tubes. Characters, four male, five female. Plays two 
hours and a half. Scene, a simple interior — same for all four 
acts. Costumes, modern. One of the strongest plays Mr. Tubbs 
has written. Martin Winn's wife left him when his daughter 
Ruth was a baby. Harold Vincent, the nephew and adopted son 
of the man who has wronged Martin, makes love to Ruth Winn. 
She is also loved by Len Everett, a prosperous young farmer 
When Martin discovers who Harold is, he orders him to leave 
Ruth. Harold, who does not love sincerely, yields. Ruth dis- 
covers she loves Len, but thinks she has lost him also. Then 
he comes back, and Ruth finds her happiness. 

THE OLD NEW^ HAMPSHIRE HOME. A New 

England Drama in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For seven 
males and four females. Time, two hours and a half. Costumes, 
modern. A play with a strong heart interest and pathos, yet rich 
in humor. Easy to act and very effective. A rural drama of 
the "Old Homstead" and "Way Down East" type. Two ex- 
terior scenes, one interior, all easy to set. Full of strong sit- 
uations and delightfully humorous passages. The kind of a play 
everybody understands and likes. 

THE OLD DAIRY HOMESTEAD. A Rural Comedy 
in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For five males and four 
females. Time, two hours. Rural costumes. Scenes rural ex- 
terior and interior. An adventurer obtains a large sum of money 
from a farm house through the intimidation of the farmer's 
niece, whose husband he claims to be. Her escapes from the 
wiles of the villain and his female accomplice are both starting 
and novel. 

A WHITE MOUNTAIN BOY. A Strong Melodrama in 
Five Acts, by Charles Townsend. For seven males and four 
females, and three supers. Time, two hours and twenty minutes. 
One exterior, three interiors. Costumes easy. The hero, a 
country lad, twice saves the life of a banker's daughter, which 
results in their betrothal. A scoundrelly clerk has the banker 
in his power, but the White Mountain boy finds a way to check- 
inate his schemes, saves the banker, and wins the girL 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



The Sweet Girl Graduate 

A Commencement Play 



By 
CAROLYN WELLS 

Author of ' ' Queen Christ7nas, " " The 
Meaning of Thanksgiving Day," etc. 




PHILADELPHIA 
THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

I 9 2 z 



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^^:4^\ 






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COPYRIGHT 
1922 BY 
THE PENN 
PUBLISHING 
COMPANY 




©CI.D 600V8 
The Sweet Girl Graduate 



FEB 24 1922 



The Sweet Girl Graduate 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 

The Sweet Girl Graduate. 

Solomon. 

The Sphinx. 

Confucius. 

The Three Wise Men of Gotham. 

Astrologer. 

Nine Muses. 

Lord Chesterfield. 

Mrs. Grundy. 

Efficiency Expert — Young Man or Woman. 

Citizeness. 

Father Time. 

Cupid— A Child. 

Young Man. 

Note. — If preferred, this play can be given with a 
cast composed wholly of girls. In this case, for Lord 
Chesterfield, substitute " Miss Manners," a punctil- 
iously polite person, with old-fashioned courtesies and 
demure costume. The character of the young man 
may be omitted, and Cupid can recite or sing his part. 
As the ancient sages — Solomon, Confucius, The 
Three Wise Men of Gotham, The Astrologer and 
Father Time — wear long and voluminous robes, they 
may be impersonated by girls, and the Efficiency 
Expert can be a girl. Also, if more convenient, three 
Muses may appear instead of nine. 



COSTUMES 

The Sweet Girl Graduate wears cap and gown 
of the conventional black, or they may be white and 
gold, lined with rose color. 

Solomon wears kingly costume of great splendor. 

The Sphinx wears beautiful Egyptian costume and 
sphinx headdress. 

Confucius wears a gorgeous Chinese costume. 

The Three Wise Men of Gotham wear judges' 
wigs and gowns, or black robes and hoods, or comical 
sailor suits. 

Astrologer wears a long black and red robe, cov- 
ered with hieroglyphics or mystic signs, tall, peaked 
hat and long gray beard. 

Nine Muses wear white classical costume draperies. 

Lord Chesterfield wears an elegant costume. 

Mrs. Grundy wears an exaggerated fashionable 
costume. ., 

Efficiency Expert wears a regular business suit. 

Citizeness should be well dressed. 

Father Time wears customary costume, with 
scythe and hourglass. 

Cupid wears a short gauzy frock, blue sash, with 
wings, quiver, bow, etc. 

Young Man should be well dressed. 



The Sweet Girl Graduate 



SCENE. — A bright and gay garden effect. Quanti- 
ties of green things, and roses in profusion. A back 
drop represents a huge rising sun, w-iih gilded rays. 
Or it may be sky with a painted rainbow. J Ticker 
garden seats are placed for the characters to occupy. 
Ornamental palms, urns, baskets are about, and the 
scene is very bright, light and dazzling. 

{Enter The Sweet Girl Graduate. She sings \air, 
My Rosary.] She smiles and rolls her eyes in a 
spirit of jesting half-mockery as she lays claim to 
knowledge. ) 

The hours I've spent in school, dear me ! 

Are past and gone beyond recall ; 
But now I've finished college and, you see, 

I know it all ! I know it all ! 

Each hour a task, each task a cram, 

L'^ntil within this head so small 
I stuffed my lessons, and I passed exam; 

I know it all ! I know it all ! 

Oh, memories that backward turn 
To class room and to study hall ! 

No longer need I dig — and strive to learn — 
I know it all ! Oh, yes ; I know it all ! 

The Girl (speaks). 

O Life, I welcome you, so bright and gay; 
The world is mine! It is Commencement Day! 

5 



6 THE SWEET GIRL GRADUATE 

My happy future, like a blossoming flower, 
Will open to new beauty every hour. 
My knowledge broadcast I will freely spread 
And on a waiting world new radiance shed ! 

{Enter Solomon. He pays little attention to the girl, 
but pompously marches across the stage.) 

Girl. 

Hello, King Solomon ! It's you, I see ; 
Anything you would like to ask of me ? 
I am a college graduate, and so 
I'll tell you anything you want to know. 
And any question you may wish to ask, 
I'll tell you, Solly ; 'tis an easy task ! 

Solomon (turning on her in irate surprise). 
What's that? Who's speaking? What bold talk is 

this? 
You instruct me ! You hoity-toity miss ! 
You babbling baby — rattle-pated doll ! 
I doubt if you know anything at all ! 

Girl {laughing at him). 

I guess I do ! Why, Solly, dear old king. 
It seems to me you don't know anything! 
You're a back number ; all your ancient lore 
I've studied. And I know a whole lot more ! 
Go way back, King; go way back and sit down; 
There's not much I don't know beneath your crown ! 

{She waves him patronizingly away, and he goes 
slowly to his seat in the background.) 

{Enter the Sphinx. She walks slowly, brooding, with 
folded arms. Seeing the Girl, she pauses and the 
two solemnly regard each other.) 

Girl. 

So you're the Sphinx. I*ve heard you are a cat. 
But a good-looking one, I grant you that ! 
They say you're wise, and riddles you can guess; 
At any rate, you do know how to dress ! 



THE SWEET GIRL GRADUATE 7 

But wisdom ! Well, with me, I must admit 
Guessing conundrums doesn't make a hit. 
And in a questionnaire, O silent Sphinx, 
I might beat you at }our own game, methinks ! 

(Sphinx, still silent, ya::es at the Girl with calm, in- 
scrutable eyes, and goes slozvly and majesiically to 
her place.) 

{Enter Confucius. Struts importantly. Seeing the 
Girl, he smiles vaguely as if not understanding 
her. ) 

Girl. 

How do you do, Confucius — chu chin chow? 

I'm a Girl Graduate ; to me kotow ! 

I give you leave to kiss my garment's hem. 
{SJic holds up to him the hem of her gown. He looks 

beivildered. ) 

What long mustaches ! I just dote on them ! 

Can you read laundry tickets right straight off? 

If you can, at your learning I won't scoff! 

Confucius {looking at her curiously and speaking 
dreamily). 

Are you a butterfly or budding flower? 
Are you a summer breeze or April shower? 
Song of a bird or perfume of a rose? 
A rainbow bubble — pff! — away it goes! 

{He makes as if to blow her away and is surprised to 
find her still there.) 

Girl {amused at being thought of no importance). 
Now, 'Fucius, don't you talk to me like that ! 
There's little I don't know beneath your hat ! 
Of Knowledge I'm Perfection's Perfect Pink! 
I know almost as much as you — I think. 

Confucius {condescendingly) . 

Poor, silly child! The wisdom of the ages, 
The scholarship profound, of seers and sages, 
In me you find 



8 THE SWEET GIRL GRADUATE 

Girl (laughing). 

Oh, you're mistaken, dearie ; 
Your claim to erudition makes me weary ! 
What you don't know would ftll the Book of Knowl- 
edge. 

While I Oh, well, you see, I've been through 

college ! 

(Confucius shakes his head, smiles in superior fash- 
ion and goes to his seat.) 

(Enter The Three Wise Men of Gotham.) 

Girl (excitedly). 

The Three Wise Men of Gotham ! Goodness me ! 
Where is your bowl ? Why are yoii not at sea ? 
You are a precious trio, I must say ! 
What are your names, wise gentlemen, I pray? 

One. Wiseacre (bows). 

Another. Bigwig (bows). 

Another. Sir Pedanticus (&ow^). 

Together. Would you know anything, just ask of us. 

Girl (laughing). 

Then, O Wise Men of Gotham, learned three, 
The story of your life pray tell to me. 

Three (sing; air, Three Blind Mice). 
Three Wise Men, 
Three Wise Men, 
Three Wise Men. 

To sea in a bowl. 
To sea in a bowl, 
To sea in a bowl. 

If the bowl had been stronger we might have been 

drowned, 
If the story'd been longer we might have been found, 
So all of our life is summed up in this round — 
Three Wise Men, etc. 



THE SWEET GIRL GRADUATE 9 

(Finishing the round, they go, hornpipe fashion, to 
their seats.) 

(Enter an Astrologer. He zvaves his hands as if 
casting spells and speaks chantingly. ) 

Astrologer. Abra-ca-da-bra 

Girl (mockingly). Fee-fo-fum! 

Astrologer. Chro-non-ho-ton-tho-lo 

Girl. Tum-te-tum ! 
Astrologer ( impressively). 

I can cast horoscopes — out of the sky ! 

I know the lore of stars 

Girl. Why, so do I ! 

You can't teach me, old chap, what starlight means ; 
Nor demonstrate to me moonlight's pale beams ; 
Nor can you teach me how to cast a spell ; 
Go 'way with you ! I know all those things well ! 

( Waving his arms, the Astrologer glides to his place, 
muttering incantations. ) 

(Enter Nine Muses.) 

Nine Muses (sing; air, Annie Laurie). 
Olympian Heights are bonny, 

'Tis there the Muses dwell ; 
Endowed with highest wisdom, 

In classics we excel. 

In classics we excel ; 

In other lines as well ; 
We know each branch of learning, 

But in classics we excel. 

Girl. Oh, Muses, you are bonny, 

But your claims are rather droll ; 
Because, you see, the classics 

I simj^ly swallowed whole ! 
I learned them all at once. 

And ne'er forgot the)''ll be ; 
And so, my bonny Muses, 

You can't look down on me! 



10 THE SWEET GIRL GRADUATE 

{Here may he given a classic dance, in which the GiRL 
joins. Then Muses go to their seats.) 

{Enter Lord Chesterfield.) 

Lord Chesterfield {howing deeply several times). 

Mademoiselle, I come to make an offer ; 
{He hows and scrapes, and the Girl looks down shyly 
as if expecting a romantic offer.) 

I know that you are young and quite unversed 
In ways of etiquette, and so I proffer 

Instruction. Now — what shall I teach you first? 

Girl. 

Instruct mei ME! In manners and deportment? 

Lord Chesterfield, you don't know where you're 
at! 
Why, I've the finest up-to-date assortment 

Of etiquette and manners and all that ; 
Dear sir, your good intentions are belated. 
You see, to-day I have been graduated ! 
And modern manners, strictly up to date, 
Are found in every Sweet Girl Graduate ! 

(Lord Chesterfield, amused; sweeps profound hows 
as he hacks away to his place.) 

{Enter Mrs. Grundy — vivacious, important and dic- 
tatorial. ) 

Mrs. Grundy. 

Hello, girlie, Mrs. Grundy's here ! 
I will teach you worldliness, my dear. 
I will tell you how you ought to act ; 
Train you in diplomacy and tact ; 
Coach you as to manner and to mien; 
Show you how to be a social queen ! 

Girl {hows ironically) . 

Thanks, Mrs. Grundy, that sounds nice; 
But I'm not sure I need advice. 

{Scornfidly indignant, Mrs. Grundy stalks off to her 
seat.) 



THE SWEET GIRL GRADUATE II 

{Enter Efficiency Expert. Girl appraises him 
mith a glance. He smiles at her admiringly, hut is 
strictly businesslike.) 

Expert {speaks or sings). 

An Efficiency Expert I ! 
Of reputation high ; 
Hyper-efficiency, 
Super-proficiency, 
To everything I apply. 
Girl. 

Efficiency! sir {or madam), you make me laugh! 

You're not as efficient as I am by half. 

I never waste time and I never waste motion. 

And it's my opinion you haven't a notion 

What efficiency high I possess. 

I studied that subject with great success! 

(Expert laughs good-naturedly and goes to his place.) 

{Enter A Citizeness.) 

Girl {bowing politely). 

Madam, I gather from your mien 

And from your face and dress, 
You're this new product of the age 

We call Citizeness. 
I offer you my deep respect; 

I offer, too, this tip ; 
I've studied up on civics 

And the new citizenship. 

Citizeness. 

.•\ Citizeness must be wise 
And look at life with seeing eyes; 
Hear all the speeches, read the news, 
And many worthy books peruse ; 
She must be able and clear-sighted, 
And speak whenever she's invited 
At any time, in any place, 
Upon the problems of the race. 



12 THE SWEET GIRL GRADUATE 

Girl (seriously). 

Yes, yes ; I know ; I've all that stuff by heart. 
I know the modern woman's noble part 
In heart and home, and in the market place, 
Helping to bear the burdens of the race. 
Helping the Government by her voice and vote ; 
I quite agree! On these things I just dote! 
And, Citizeness, dear, I've heard the call ; 
And I'll be old enough to vote next fall ! 

(Citizeness, pleased, pats the girl caressingly on the 
head and goes to her seat. ) 

(Enter Father Time.) 

Father Time. 

Well, well, my girl, one more Commencement Day 
Has rolled around; and truly I may say 
Each year the Sweet Girl Graduates I see, 
Each year more charming they appear to me. 

Girl (eagerly). 

And wise — and learned? 

Time (smiling). Oh, my goodness, yes; 
Like all the rest, you " know it all," I guess ! 

Girl. 

Well, Father Time — perhaps not quite all — yet; 
I know a lot, and, if I don't forget 
My college teachings, I can just tell you 
That I know — well, I know a thing or two ! 

TiiME (kindly). 

My child, my child, your knowledge is so little, 
But an iota or a jot or tittle 

Of the world's lore. But, don't let that dismay you; 
Go on and learn ; and study well, I pray you. 
Of me. For Girl^ — you pretty, winsome creature 
I am — of all- — your most important teacher. 

Girl. 

You're right, oh, Time, and I will learn of you. 
You'll teach me what I ought to say and do ; 



THE SWEET GIRL GRADUATE Ij 

And though I'm sure I do know quite a lot, 
There may be some few things that I know not. 
So, Father Time, if any such there be, 
I'm glad to have you teach them all to me. 

(Time smiles benignly on the girl, shakes his head in 
amusement and goes to his seat.) 

(Girl wanders about in foreground, lost in thought, 
and then sinks down on a grassy or flowery bank.) 

{Enter Cupid. He comes running, and stands in 
front of the Girl. He smiles, and she is a little 
shy. ) 

Girl {amazed, wondering and frankly curious). 
Who are you? Tell me quickly, lovely child! 
You set my heart a-beating when you smiled. 
Who are you, little mystery? You seem 
Like the soft echo of a tender dream ; 
In all my knowledge, all my classic lore — 
I've never met with one like you before. 

Cupid. 

I'm Cupid. And I'm wise, though I am small ; 
Dear little girl, you think you know it all ; 
Let Cupid teach you something yet unknown ; 
Wander with me — through an uncharted zone. 

Cupid {sings; air, Love's Old, Sweet Song). 
Just a vi^alk at twilight, when the sun is low, 
Cupid then will teach you what you do not know. 

{Enter Young Man; stands by Girl and takes her 
hand. Cupid is between them.) 

Young Man {carrying on the song). 

Just a whispered greeting, just a clasping hand ; 
Cupid then will teach you — you'll understand — 
You'll understand. 

Young Man {speaking). 

Now, by the light of Cupid's lore of love, 
You'll find your wisdom not so far above 



14 THE SWEET GIRL GRADUATE 

Other deep thinkers, wise men and the rest, 
And you will come to see that Love is best. 

Girl. 
What does this mean ? I am transformed, I think. 
Cupid, are you a sort of missing link ? 
Do you transmute all knowledge into love ? 
Now I can see I'm not so far above 
All other wise ones ! Cupid, dear, I see ; 
You teach contentment and humility. 
It took you, Cupid, clever, darling elf, 
Thus to reveal myself unto myself ! 

(Turning to group of characters.) 
Perhaps, compared to these, my lore is small ; 
Perhaps (bravely confessing) I do not know it all! 

Girl (sings; air, Merry Widow Waltz). 
Though I may not, 
As I say, not 

Know it all; 
I'll be turning 
Back to learning. 
Heed the call 
Of these wiser teachers, they are right; I'm wrong; 
But I'm cheered and aided by Love's Old Sweet 
Song. 

Girl, Young Man and Chorus of Characters. 
Just a girl of many. 

Just a graduate; 
Standing at the portal 

Of Life's golden gate; 
Just like other pilgrims. 

Helped and cheered along 
Life's untraveled pathways 

By Love's sweet song — 

Love's old, sweet song! 

CURTAIN 



Unusually Good Entertainments 

Read One or More of These Before Deciding on 
Your Next Program 

GRADUATION DAY AT WOOD HILIi SCHOOL. 

An Entertainment in Two Acts, by Ward Macauley. For six 
males and four females, with several minor parts. Time of 
playing, two hours. Modern costumes. Simple interior scenes; 
may be presented in a hall without scenery. The unusual com4 
bination of a real "entertainment," including music, recitations^ 
etc., with an interesting love story. The graduation exerciser 
include short speeches, recitations, songs, funny interruptions^ 
and a comical speech by a country school trustee. 

EXAMINATION DAY AT WOOD HILL SCHOOL. 

An Entertainment in One Act, by Ward Macauley. Eight malt 
and six female characters, with minor parts. Plays one hour. 
Scene, an easy interior, or may be given without scenery. Cos- 
tumes, modern. Miss Marks, the teacher, refuses to marry a 
trustee, who threatens to discharge her. The examination in- 
cludes recitations and songs, and brings out many funny answers 
to questions. At the close Robert Coleman, an old lover, claims 
the teacher. Very easy and very effective. 

BACK TO THE COUNTRY STORE. A Rural Enter- 
tainment in Three Acts, by Ward Macauley. For four male 
and five female characters, with some supers. Time, two hours. 
Two scenes, both easy interiors. Can be played effectively with- 
out scenery. Costumes, modern. All the principal parts are 
sure hits. Quigley Higginbotham, known as "Quig," a clerk in 
a country store, aspires to be a great author or singer and 
decides to try his fortunes in New York. The last scene is in 
Quig's home. He returns a failure but is offered a partnership 
in the country store. He pops the question in the midst of a 
surprise party given in his honor. Easy to do and very funny. 

THE DISTRICT CONVENTION. A Farcical Sketch 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For eleven males and one 
female, or twelve males. Any number of other parts or super- 
numeraries may be added. Plays forty-five minutes. No special 
scenery is required, and the costumes and properties are all 
easy. The play shows an uproarious political nominating con- 
vention. The climax comes when a woman's rights cham- 
pion, captures the convention. There is a great chance to bur- 
lesque modern politics and to work in local gags. Every 
part will make a hit. 

SI SLOCUM'S COUNTRY STORE. An Entertainment 
in One Act, by Frank Dumo.vt. Eleven male and five female 
characters with supernumeraries. Several parts may be doubled. 
Plays one hour. Interior scene, or may he played without set 
scenery Costumes, modern. The rehearsal for an entertain- 
ment in the village church gives plenty of opportunity for 
specialty work. A very jolly entertainment of the sort adapted 
to almost any place or occasion. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

_PKILApfLPHIA. 



Unusually Good Entertainments 

Read One or More of These Before Deciding on 
Your Next Program 

A SURPRISE PARTY AT BRINKLEY'Sc An En- 
tertainment in One Scene, by Ward Macauley. Seven male and 
seven female characters. Interior scene, or may be given with- 
out scenery. Costumes, modern. Time, one hour. By the 
author of the popular successes, "Graduation Day at Wood Hill,f 
School," "Back to the Country Store," etc. The villagers have\ 
planned a birthday surprise party for Mary Brinkley, recently 
graduated from college. They all join in jolly games, songs, 
conundrums, etc., and Mary becomes engaged, which surprises 
the surprisers. The entertainment is a sure success. 

JONES VS. JINKS. A Mock Trial in One Act, by 
Edward Mumford. Fifteen male and six female characters, with 
supernumeraries if desired. May be played all male. Many of the 
parts (members of the jury, etc.) are small. Scene, a simple 
interior; may be played without scenery. Costumes, modern. 
Time of playing, one hour. This mock trial has many novel 
features, unusual characters and quick action. Nearly every 
character has a funny entrance and laughable lines. There are 
many rich parts, and fast fun throughout. 

THE SIGHT-SEEING CAR. A Comedj Sketch in One 
Act, by Ernest M. Gould. For seven males, two females, or 
may be all male. Parts may be doubled, with quick changes, so 
that four persons may play the sketch. Time, forty-five minutes. 
Simple street scene. Costumes, modern. The superintendent 
of a sight-seeing automobile engages two men to run the 
machine. A Jew, a farmer, a fat lady and ojher humorous 
characters give them all kinds of trouble. This is a regular gat- 
ling-gun stream of rollicking repartee. 

THE CASE OF SMYTHE VS. SMITH. An Original 

Mock Trial in One Act, by Frank Dumont. Eighteen males 
and two females, or may be all male. Plays about one hour. 
Scene, a county courtroom ; requires no scenery ; may be played 
in an ordinary hall. Costumes, modern. This entertainment is 
nearly perfect of its kind, and a sure success. It can be easily 
produced in any place or on any occasion, and provides almost 
any number of good parts. 

THE OLD MAIDS' ASSOCIATION. A Farcical Enter- 
tainment in One Act, by Louise Latham Wilson. For thirteen 
females and one male. The male part may be played by a 
female, and the number of characters increased to twenty or 
more. Time, forty minutes. The play requires neither scenery 
nor properties, and very little in the way of costumes. Can 
.easily be prepared in one or two rehearsals. 

\ BARGAIN DAY AT BLOOMSTEIN'S. A Farcical 

Entertainment in One Act, by Edward Mumford. For five males 
and ten females, with supers. Interior scene. Costumes, mod- 
ern. Time, thirty minutes. The characters and the situations 
which arise from their endeavors to buy and sell make rapid-fire 
fun from start to finish. 

THF »ENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 
PHILADELPHi*^ 



Successful Plays for All Girls 

In Selecting Your Next Play Do Not Overlook This List 

YOUNG DOCTOR DEVINE. A Farce in Two Acts, 
by Mrs. E. J. H. Goodfellow. One of the most popular 
plays for girls. For nine female characters. Time in 
playing, thirty minutes. Scenery, ordinary interior. Mod 
ern costumes. Girls in a boarding-school, learning that a 
young doctor is coming to vaccinate all the pupils, eagerly con 
suit each other as to the manner of fascinating the physician 
When the doctor appears upon the scene the pupils discover that 
the physician is a female practitioner. 

SISTER MASONS. A Burlesque in One Act, by Frank 
DuMONT. For eleven females. Time, thirty minutes. Costumes, 
fantastic gowns, or dominoes. Scene, interior. A grand expose 
«f Mas«nry. Some women profess to learn the secrets of a 
Masonic lodge by hearing their husbands talk in their sleep 
and they institute a similar organization. 

A COMMANDING POSITION. A Farcical Enter 
tainment, by Amelia Sanford. For se\en female char 
acters and ten or more other ladies and children. Time, one 
hour. Costumes, modern. Scenes, easy interiors and one street 
scene. Marian Young gets tired living with her aunt. Miss 
Skinflint. She decides to "attain a commanding position ' 
Marian tries hospital nursing, college settlement work and 
school teaching, but decides to go back to housework. 

HOW A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET. A Comedy 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For ten female characters 
Time, half an hour. Scene, an easy interior. Costumes, modern 
Mabel Sweetly has just become engaged to Harold, but it's "the 
deepest kind of a secret." Before announcing it they must win 
the approval of Harold's uncle, now in Europe, or lose a possible 
ten thousand a year. At a tea Mabel meets her dearest friend 
Maude sees Mabel has a secret, she coaxes and Mabel tells her 
But Maude lets out the secret in a few minutes to another 
friend and so the secret travels. 

THE OXFORD AFFAIR. A Comedy in Three Acts, 
by Josephine H. Cobb and Jennie E. Paine. For eight female 
characters. Plays one hour and three-quarters. Scenes, inter 
iors at a seaside hotel. Costumes, modern. The action of the 
play is located at a summer resort. Alice Graham, in order .o 
chaperon herself, poses as a widow, and Miss Oxford first claims 
her as a sister-in-law, then denounces her. The onerous duties 
of Miss Oxford, who attempts to serve as chaperon to Miss 
Howe and Miss Ashton in the face of many obstacles, furnist 
an evening of rare enjoyment. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



The Power of ^f^faesilT • 

Expression and efficiency go hand m hand 

The power of clear and forceful expression brings confi- 
dence and poise at all times — in private gatherings, in public 
discussion, in society, in business 

It is an invaluable asset to any man or woman. It can often 
Ibe turned into money, but it is always a real joy. 

In learning to express thought,, we learn to command 
itiiought itself, and thought is power. You can have thit 
ipower if you will 

Whoever has the power of clear expression is always surf 
M himself. 

Hie power of expression leads to, 

The ability to think "on your feet** 

Successful public speaking 

Effective recitals 

The mastery over other mind^i 

Social prominence 

Business success 

Efficiency in any undertaking 

Are these things worth while? 

They are all successfully taught at The National School o» 
Elocution and Oratory, which during many years has de- 
veloped this power in hundreds of men and women. 

A catalogue giving full information as to how any of thes€ 
accomplishments may be attained will be sent free on request 

THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF 
ELOCUTION AND ORATORY 

40J2 Chestnut Street Philadelphia 



